North Greenville University
The first five graduates to earn a Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) degree at North Greenville University were among the Fall 2019 graduating class honored last Friday.
The program began in August 2016 and 60 students are enrolled in the program.
“We are extremely proud of this inaugural graduating class of the Doctor of Education program,” stated Dr. Tawana Scott, assistant vice-president for adult and graduate academic services. “The students in this class are superb and demonstrate the perseverance to accomplish great things.”
The inaugural graduating class members in higher education are Kayla Marie Black of Lexington, Jordan Mack Hairr of Boiling Springs, and Thomas Phillips of Spartanburg. Graduating with a concentration in K-12 studies are Robert Noel Lyons of Piedmont, and Heather (Callie) McCale Finley Wentzky of Greer.
When Hairr began his program, his wife was pregnant with their first child, and his second child was born while enrolled. He found the hybrid program helpful in juggling his many responsibilities and demands of work and family life. His advice for juggling all the responsibilities, “Invest in a great coffee maker. Seriously, it would be time management.” Hairr said. “I had to make a lot of sacrifices on the weekends and to my sleep schedule to complete my school work.”
The Ed.D. degree is research-based and focuses on excellence in academic foundation and standards. The degree strives to also encourage students to grow and mature in their Christian Worldview as they continue in their quest to be transformational leaders for church and society.
NGU’s commencement was held in Turner Chapel on the Tigerville Campus. Dr. Ralph E. Enlow, Jr., president of the Association for Biblical Higher Education (ABHE), addressed the 170 undergraduate and graduate students, family, and friends.